Limitless

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Limitless

PG-13

Released Mar 18, 2011

1h 45m

Mystery & Thriller

Action

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Popcornmeter

68%

Tomatometer

201 Reviews

74%

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100,000+ Ratings

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

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Critics Consensus

Although its script is uneven, Neil Burger directs Limitless with plenty of visual panache, and Bradley Cooper makes for a charismatic star.

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Keith Uhlich

Time Out

Every generation gets its Boiler Room.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 9, 2023

Full Review

Kimber Myers

The Playlist

Paradoxically absorbing, yet cliched and empty, this power-based New York story is a bit of an entertaining thrill ride, probably far more popcorn-engrossing than it deserves to be...

Rated: C+

Aug 15, 2013

Full Review

Philip French

Guardian

[An] ingenious, extremely violent thriller...

Mar 28, 2011

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Yasser Medina

Cinefilia

Its science fiction premise about the enhanced drug has a gripping start, but it never breaks its limits and loses the dose of suspense when it frequents common places that, as a side effect, make it terribly dull. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 5/10

May 11, 2024

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

Limitless is frustrating because there are plenty of compelling ideas at work here, but they’re dumbed down by a screenplay that isn’t capable of being as intelligent as its central character.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 31, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

Although somewhat limited by the story and, noticeably, the budget, the boundless enthusiasm of its star stops any dullness setting in.

Feb 15, 2022

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movies4granted

NZT-48 might be the drug from a film I want most. Early in his career Bradley Cooper had that 'it's factor. he still does.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/16/24

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Rick T

Fast paced from exhilarating triumph to mortal danger over and over again. I love a happy ending.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

Full Review

Isa B

A fast-paced, highly entertaining science-fiction thrill ride! Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro deliver stellar performances. Limitless is a visually appealing motion picture. I enjoyed the stylish cinematography, which assisted the storytelling. It is, perhaps, a bit more style than substance, but a very good film nonetheless. I do recommend. 87/100

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/12/24

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Audience Member

This movie was a wild ride, full of intensity and razor-sharp focus. The characters’ energy was almost suspiciously high, and I couldn’t help but think the secret was Adderall. A fascinating story with an intriguing subtext about ambition and pressure.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

12/11/24

Full Review

Kauã M

Fun and cliché, clearly saved by Bradley Cooper's charisma but good and well developed.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

11/25/24

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Jay W

"Limitless" has a really cool premise. It is a concept that I'm sure we've all thought about before. Eddie Morra, played by Bradley Cooper, is a struggling writer. That all changes when he gets a pill that unlocks his full potential and gives him perfect recall. Eddie is then able to turn his life around and become a big success. It's a good idea for a setup. It is escapism at its finest. It's a power fantasy, but instead of being super strong, it's about being super smart. And some of the things they have him do are entertaining to see. But it's what they do with their premise that is unfortunate. It boils down to a generic action thriller, with less than interesting action and nothing thrilling happens. The simple but genius premise makes the movie remembered years later. But beyond what the movie is about, and the actors in it, nothing else about the movie stands out. Perhaps if the writers had the NZT pill, they could come up with something more compelling.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

11/21/24

Full Review

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Neil Burger

Director

Bradley Cooper

Eddie Morra

Robert De Niro

Carl Van Loon

Abbie Cornish

Lindy

Anna Friel

Melissa

Andrew Howard

Gennady

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Limitless: Official Clip - Killer in Central Park

1:17

Limitless: Official Clip - The Drugs Kick in

2:30

Limitless: Official Clip - Getting His Ex Back

1:50

Limitless: Official Clip - Chased by a Killer

2:25

Limitless: Official Clip - Taking out Mobsters

2:13

Limitless: Official Clip - I See Everything

2:13

Limitless: Official Clip - Russian Mobsters

2:21

Limitless: Official Clip - Subway Fight

1:55

Limitless: Official Clip - Recipe for Grandeur

2:00

Limitless: Official Clip - They're All Dead

2:24

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Synopsis

Facing unemployment and his girlfriend's rejection, writer Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) is sure that he has no future. That all changes when an old friend gives him a drug that produces enhanced mental acuity. Stoked on the untested chemical, Eddie rises to the top of the financial world and attracts the attention of a tycoon (Robert De Niro) who intends to use him to make a fortune. But terrible side-effects and a dwindling supply threaten to collapse Eddie's house of cards.

Director: Neil Burger
Producer: Leslie Dixon, Scott Kroopf, Ryan Kavanaugh
Screenwriter: Leslie Dixon
Distributor: Relativity Media
Production Co: Many Rivers, Boy of the Year
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Disturbing Images|Sexuality|Thematic Material Invol Drugs|Violence)
Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 18, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jul 18, 2011
Box Office (Gross USA): $79.2M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: SDDS, Dolby Digital

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